E-fencing

FBI spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan says the bureau is aware of the problem. "We do recognize e-fencing as an ongoing issue," she says.

Two new types of retail theft are gaining traction, thanks to the ubiquitous spread of technology, according to the National Retail Federation, which reports that e-fencing and gift card fraud are on the rise.

Scott, the Newport News Democrat who chairs the House subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, has heard from merchants for years about the growing problem of e-fencing.